Books & Books Closing in Westhampton Beach, Leaving Village Without Bookstore For First Time in 40 Years

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — “What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not foolin’ a soul.” ― Neil Gaiman, American Gods.

Book lovers in Westhampton Beach will say good-bye to a longtime independent bookstore on Main Street Saturday, as Books & Books closes its doors — leaving the village without a bookstore for the first time in almost four decades.

A message posted on the shop's door reads, "Denise Berthiaume and Jack McKeown, co-owners of Books & Books Westhampton Beach, have announced the closing of their store on Main Street in Westhampton Beach after 7 years in operation.

"Jack and Denise opened the store after long careers in book publishing. For a variety of personal reasons, including the desire to retire to other pursuits, to travel more extensively, and to spend time with extended family in Virginia, Jack and Denise felt the time was right to make the change."

The statement said that the pair are "proud to have participated in the indie bookstore resurgence that began several years ago, and has proceeded apace in this decade, resulting in the opening or expansion of hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide. The decline of e-book sales and the rebound in print bode well for the future of independent bookstore retail, and the owners expect that like-minded individuals will step forward at some point to bring a new bookstore to the Westhampton community."

The owners said they wished to thank the entire community for years of "friendship and support."

The closure will leave Westhampton Beach without a bookstore for the first time in many years. The Open Book was a longtime fixture in the village before closing in January, 2012, and the space had operated as a bookstore, the Book Mark, for many years under a previous owner.

"I'm sad there won't be a bookstore in town," said Terry Lucas, who owned The Open Book. "I think that it will be the first time in over 40 years that the Village of Westhampton Beach won't have a bookstore. I did not patronize Books & Books but I am still sorry to hear that they are leaving the village without a bookstore."

She added, "I hope someone with energy and money comes in to bring books back."

Discounts from 40 to 50 percent are currently being offered storewide on all merchandise, including fiction, non-fiction, children's books, coffee table books, cookbooks, art and design books and stationery.